Palm Springs breaks ground on park

A ceremony began at 9 a.m. at the site of the future 1.5-acre park, across from the Palm Springs Art Museum on Museum Drive and Museum Way, according to a statement on the city’s website.

City Council members, Police Chief Bryan Reyes and park designer Mark Rios spoke at the ceremony.

The park, which will be built where the first Desert Inn was located, is expected to become an urban oasis. It will have two lawns, palm groves, a water feature similar to the city’s famed Tahquitz Canyon waterfall, public restrooms and a downtown police substation.

“The goal of the park is to help connect residents and visitors to a natural urban oasis in the heart of our downtown while at the same time highlighting Palm Springs’ unique culture and magical beauty,” said City Manager David H. Ready said in the statement. “The city council expects this park will be an incredible and uniquely Palm Springs amenity for everyone to enjoy.”

The park is expected to be completed by next fall, according to the statement.